not to be missed Napa/Sonoma wineries for red wine lovers?
Sep 1st, 2009, 04:28 PM
#22
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I drink reds mostly. I never go to Napa....just because. My brother lives in Cotati so we do Sonoma. Wilson, Mozzoco, Rosenblum and Lake Sonoma tasting rooms in Healdsburg, Matrix, Sapphire Hill, Christopher Ranch. You just have to taste and see what you like. Wines vary from year to year and they aren't always the same at each winery although with a winery like Wilson, the standard is always high.
There are more, I just can't remember them all.
There are more, I just can't remember them all.
Sep 3rd, 2009, 08:09 AM
#24
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LizaMarie,
Sure folks will get tired of my recommendations, but I have commented previously about these wineries - below is a wrap up of Sonoma and Napa wineries offering great red wines - don't limit yourself to "Italian style" wines, open up your horizons and taste some new red wines! Also, don't listen to the comments on Sonoma vs. Napa, as it will drive you cuh-razzy. We have visited both and each has it's strengths and weaknesses - and really, unless you are on the beaten path in Napa (Route 29 or the Silverado Trail), the wine people are not snobby - most of them are really down to earth and just trying to make a living... Though for most of the ones below, you need to call them to make an appointment (and get directions):
- Barnett - a specialty Cabernet producer - and you do have a tasting fee here.
- Frank Family - a bit over the top with tourists, but some great Zinfandels.
- Outpost - way off the beaten path outside Angwin
- Spring Mountain - real dog and pony show here and they specialize in Cabernet - but worth it - they filmed the old TV show "Falcon Crest" but don't like you to ask about it!
- Trespass - great French styled wines.
- Tres Sabores - great Zins
- Charter Oak – on Charter Oak Avenue in St. Helena – Roberto Fanucci makes great Zins and while it is in the middle of "tourist trap" Napa, Roberto has his tasting room in the basement and it's a charming place.
SONOMA:
Sonoma is larger than Napa and a lot more ground to cover but there are some charming wineries in Sonoma as well:
- Bella in Healdsburg some great Zins
- Deerfield Ranch outside Sonoma - just opened (are opening) a new tasting room.
- Glen Lyon in Glen Ellen makes some killer Syrahs.
- Harvest Moon between Healdsburg and Forrestville
- Little Vineyards just outside Sonoma town
- Loxton: Syrah and Zinfandel for price and quality, one of the best in Sonoma, I think.
- Robledo just west of Sonoma town does great red wines.
Please let me know if you need more recommendations re: food and lodging, though you have gotten some excellent suggestions here...
PS: I'm not affiliated with any of the above - just happen to travel to Napa/Sonoma a lot - I make my own wine - a Zin from Sonoma and a Cabernet from Napa, so, have become familiar with the entire area...
Sure folks will get tired of my recommendations, but I have commented previously about these wineries - below is a wrap up of Sonoma and Napa wineries offering great red wines - don't limit yourself to "Italian style" wines, open up your horizons and taste some new red wines! Also, don't listen to the comments on Sonoma vs. Napa, as it will drive you cuh-razzy. We have visited both and each has it's strengths and weaknesses - and really, unless you are on the beaten path in Napa (Route 29 or the Silverado Trail), the wine people are not snobby - most of them are really down to earth and just trying to make a living... Though for most of the ones below, you need to call them to make an appointment (and get directions):
- Barnett - a specialty Cabernet producer - and you do have a tasting fee here.
- Frank Family - a bit over the top with tourists, but some great Zinfandels.
- Outpost - way off the beaten path outside Angwin
- Spring Mountain - real dog and pony show here and they specialize in Cabernet - but worth it - they filmed the old TV show "Falcon Crest" but don't like you to ask about it!
- Trespass - great French styled wines.
- Tres Sabores - great Zins
- Charter Oak – on Charter Oak Avenue in St. Helena – Roberto Fanucci makes great Zins and while it is in the middle of "tourist trap" Napa, Roberto has his tasting room in the basement and it's a charming place.
SONOMA:
Sonoma is larger than Napa and a lot more ground to cover but there are some charming wineries in Sonoma as well:
- Bella in Healdsburg some great Zins
- Deerfield Ranch outside Sonoma - just opened (are opening) a new tasting room.
- Glen Lyon in Glen Ellen makes some killer Syrahs.
- Harvest Moon between Healdsburg and Forrestville
- Little Vineyards just outside Sonoma town
- Loxton: Syrah and Zinfandel for price and quality, one of the best in Sonoma, I think.
- Robledo just west of Sonoma town does great red wines.
Please let me know if you need more recommendations re: food and lodging, though you have gotten some excellent suggestions here...
PS: I'm not affiliated with any of the above - just happen to travel to Napa/Sonoma a lot - I make my own wine - a Zin from Sonoma and a Cabernet from Napa, so, have become familiar with the entire area...
Trespass does have great wines. Also try Three Clicks, Keenan
Oct 12th, 2009, 10:06 AM
#28
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Just discovered a very unique, small, beautiful winery with excellent red wines: Quixote Winery off Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. Building and grounds designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Unique, fascinating. Tour and tasting by appt. only : $25; $20 on weekends. Petite Syrah and Cabs and others. Despite cost, is a great experience and worth the price.
Oct 12th, 2009, 11:32 AM
#30
And now for something completely different:
There is a small (very small, no sign, one winemaker, the tasting room is the back porch) on Coombsville Rd just east of central Napa (town, not valley): Tulocay Vineyards. The reds are superb, and if he has any Chardonnay left, you may change your mind about whites. Cabernets, Zins, Merlots, and Syrahs, and Pinot Noirs are, to my taste, excellent. To visit, check the website and telephone for an appointment and directions. http://www.tulocay.com/ Prices are remarkably reasonable. Sit down with Bill Cadman and sip some great reds.
At the other end of the Napa-Sonoma Valleys I strongly also recommend Ridge. They go for more of the monster reds, and they'll cost more than many other places. If you have patience, wait 20 years and they'll knock your socks off.
There is a small (very small, no sign, one winemaker, the tasting room is the back porch) on Coombsville Rd just east of central Napa (town, not valley): Tulocay Vineyards. The reds are superb, and if he has any Chardonnay left, you may change your mind about whites. Cabernets, Zins, Merlots, and Syrahs, and Pinot Noirs are, to my taste, excellent. To visit, check the website and telephone for an appointment and directions. http://www.tulocay.com/ Prices are remarkably reasonable. Sit down with Bill Cadman and sip some great reds.
At the other end of the Napa-Sonoma Valleys I strongly also recommend Ridge. They go for more of the monster reds, and they'll cost more than many other places. If you have patience, wait 20 years and they'll knock your socks off.
Oct 12th, 2009, 12:16 PM
#31
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Sterling has a really neat gondola ride up to the winery. The scenery is spectacular - the wine very good.
Also, if you are going to be in Sonoma at mealtime, go to the Girl and the Fig. Breakfast, lunch or dinner - the place is delightful - eat in the garden in back if you can and buy their fig vinegar.
Also, if you are going to be in Sonoma at mealtime, go to the Girl and the Fig. Breakfast, lunch or dinner - the place is delightful - eat in the garden in back if you can and buy their fig vinegar.
Oct 19th, 2009, 09:29 AM
#32
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Muscardini Cellars beat out all the usual suspects in the SuperTuscan category in the SF Wine Competition. Right next to the Muscardini/Ty Caton Vineyards Tasting room is Enkidu Wines for some great Pinot Noirs and unusual blends...try Humbaba!
All the Sonoma Valley wineries can be found at http://www.sonomavalleywine.com/pdfs...Aug4_final.pdf and check the event calendar at same website for winery events during your dates. Have a good trip!
All the Sonoma Valley wineries can be found at http://www.sonomavalleywine.com/pdfs...Aug4_final.pdf and check the event calendar at same website for winery events during your dates. Have a good trip!
Feb 2nd, 2011, 05:00 AM
#36
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For a different experience blend your own bottle of wine. Our kids did a Napa tour last year--DD is a sommelier. They went to Conn Creek for a tour, saw the vineyards, and then each blended their own bottle of red. We drank them last year on our beach trip and they were really interesting.
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifest...cc4c03286.html
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifest...cc4c03286.html
Feb 2nd, 2011, 06:54 AM
#37
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One of my favorites is Hess, at the top of Mount Veeder in southern Napa. Not only good wine, but an art gallery on the second floor of the old monastery (with a +/- twenty foot square metal collage by Frank Stella that must be worth millions.)
Feb 2nd, 2011, 08:54 AM
#38
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For some really outstanding Pinot Noirs, check out the Roessler Cellars, located just off the Square in downtown Sonoma. I also like the reds available at Buena Vista Winery, which is a couple miles east of downtown Sonoma. Buena Vista is the oldest winery in California, with a beautiful old vine-covered tasting room and lovely picnic grounds.
Feb 25th, 2011, 02:49 PM
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Just got back from a weekend in Sonoma and I really have to recommend Gary Farrell Winery http://www.garyfarrellwines.com/
The winery is on a hillside on Westside Road south of Healdsburg and the view from the tasting room is stunning. But of course, the star is the wine and they have some incredible Pinot Noirs that we tasted (and bought)along with Chardonays and a Zinfandel. Not cheap, but excellent.
The winery is on a hillside on Westside Road south of Healdsburg and the view from the tasting room is stunning. But of course, the star is the wine and they have some incredible Pinot Noirs that we tasted (and bought)along with Chardonays and a Zinfandel. Not cheap, but excellent.
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